Recording liquid gravitometer



w. A. SCI ILUETER RECORDING LIQUiD GRAVITOMETER Aug. 19, 1952 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 16, 1949 Aug. 19, 1952 w. A. SCHLUETER1,607,214

RECORDING LIQUID GRAVITOMEf-ER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 16, 1949 wagAug. 19, 1952 w. A. SCHLUETER RECORDING LIQUID GRAVITOMETER Filed March16, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. 19, 1952 2,607,214 I RECORDINGLIQUID GRAVITOMETER William A. Schlueter,1Tulsa-, Okla. ApplicationMarch 16, 1949, Serial No. 81,799

4 Claims.

H The present invention relates to an apparatus for indicating andrecording the specific gravity or density of liquids especially flowingliquids which may be subjected to conditions of high pressure and tochanges in temperature.

An 'object of the invention is to provide an instrument for recordingcontinuously the specific gravity of liquids such as petroleum productswherein the liquids may be under pressure as high as one thousand poundsper square inch and subject to temperature variations throughout a rangeof approximately zero degrees to one hundred and fifty degreesFahrenheit.

' A further. object of the invention is to provide a unitary device forrecording the specific grave ity of liquids so designed as not torequire any electrical power line connections for its operation and toprovide a recorder which will require no auxiliary power source otherthan that which is stored in the recorder case proper such as a springwound motor for drivingthe record chart.

v A still further object of the invention is to Provide apparatus forindicating and recording the specific gravity or density of a liquidunder pressure utilizing the buoyancy principle for indicating changesin specific gravity and to .pro-

. vide for the transfer of movements of a float across a pressurebarrier without any direct con- -nectio n between the buoyancyinfluenced element and the indicating and recording means.

A more detailed object of the invention is to provide a chamber withinwhich liquid from the sample line is directed provided with a floatincluding magnetic means for transmitting movement of the float across apressure barrier to operate a linkage mechanism of the recordingmechanism including means for altering the position of the float chamberand other means to facilitate calibration .ofthe apparatus.

l Another object of the invention is to provide a novel mechanism fortransferring movement; of the buoyant element of a gravitometer to a penof the recor din -mechanism wherein friction of the parts is reduced toa negligible amount and a linkage assembly which may be readily'adjustedto properly coordinate the position of a record- ,ing pen with themoving record chart- 7 Other objects and features of the invention willmerit of the invention is disclosed.

- In the drawings:

p from the casing.

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a recording gravitometerexhibiting the invention taken on the line I-'-I of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. JV Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the recording mechanismwith parts. broken I away to illustrate apart of thepen actuatinglinkage.

Fig. 4' is a perspective front elevational view of the device. y

I Fig. 5 is a skeleton perspective view of the linkage for transmittingmovements of the. float to the recording pen. a g

. Fig. 6 is a sectional view .taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

A gravitometer embodying the invention is enclosed within a casingso asto be readily portable and suitable for bracket mountingor for supporton a table or, the like. Th nature of the casin will be apparent uponconsideration of Fig. 4. The casing may be formed of sheet metal or thelike to include a front wall I0, end walls II and I2 and a rear wall I4.The casing also includes a bottom wall I6 which may be provided withcushion elements I"! for supporting the housing on a table or the like.The upper portion of the casing is closed by a removable cover I8 whichmay also be formed of sheet material and may be provided with recessesone of which is shown at I9 for receiving the fingers for lifting thelid The front wall II] of the housing also provides means for supportinga recordin mechanismenclosed within a casing 2| mounted on the innerface of the front wall of the cabinet. This recording mechanism includesa chart 22 which is adapted to be driven in a Well-known manner by meansof a spring-wound clock mechanism arranged within the casing 2 I. A door23 is provided with a transparent pane for protecting the recordingchart. The door is mounted on hinges 26 for swinging movement to permitthe chart 22 to be replaced. Any suitable latch or detent may beprovided and operated by the handle 27 .for retaining the door 23 in aclosed position.

The operative elements of the gravitometer are supported on a framewithin the housing or casing. This frame includeslongitudinallyextending members 29 arranged along the bottom portion ofthe housing and these angle bars are adapted. to be connected bytransverse members 3|. An upright member 32 extends upwardly from thebase portion of the frame at each corner of the housing, These posts 32may be welded to the angle bars 29 and 3| or otherwise conneoted toprovide a relatively rigid frame structure. Additional angle bars 36extend longitudinally of the housing adjacent the top thereof and thesemembers are connected by transverse angle bars 31 and 38. The transversemembers 31 and 38 may be welded or otherwise secured to the horizontalflange portions of the longitudinally extending angle bars 36. It willbe appreciated that a substantial frame is thereby provided forreinforcing the housing and to provide su port for a float chamber andother elements of the apparatus as hereinafter described. 7

Apparatus exhibiting the invention includes a float chamber in thenature of a hollow rigid capsule indicated generally at 4| which may beformed of steel or any suitable metal for withstanding pressures thereinup to about one thousand pounds per square inch. In the embodimentillustrated in the drawings, the central portion of the float chamber isformed as a tubular section 42 having any suitable diameter. A--cup-shaped portion 43 closes one end ofthetubefl and may be weldedthereto a's'indicate'd'at M. The other end of the tubular section i2 isprovided with an annular member 46 which may also be Welded to thetubular section 42 jasshown at ll. The annular fitting '66 has'suificiently radial dimension for receiving "cap screws "48 employedfor removably securing an end plate -49 in position closing the floatchamber. A gasket i may be interposed between the cover plate 49 and theannular fitting 4'6 to'seal this endportion of the float chamber. Thecover plate- 49 is provided with an axially disposed'opening forreceivin a pipe fitting 53. The inner end of the pipe fitting 53 maybeprovided with screen or apertured "cup 5'4 for 'the'purpose ofdifiusin'g any of the incoming liquid throughout the float chamber 41,The float chamber may be 'providedwith a drain opening 81 throughwhich'se'diment and "the like may be removed after the threaded plug 82is disengaeed'from a position closing the drain opening.

In carrying out the invention liquid under pressure is taken fromasample line (hotshownl and supplied to a conduit fitting 56 which "ismounted on the back wall M "of the apparatus. A conduit or pipe 58extends from the fitting 56 intocommun'ication with the'pipe fitting 53.Liquid under 'pressurethe specific gravity of which is to be determinedthus enters'the float chamber 4| through the diffusion fitting-5'4. Theconduit 58 may 'be formed of flexible "metal so as to facilitateconnection-of thedevice and permit adjustments in the position of thefloat chamber relative to the frame and the housing as hereinafterdescribed. lin'outlet conduit '6! is connected to the opposite *end "ofthe float chamber M by means of a pipe ifitting illustrated at 62. Theconduit 61 extends to conduit fittin 63 mounted on the back wall 14 ofthe housing. The liquid under test is'l'ed back to the sample line or toa sump where the test liquid is to be stored th'rough the pipe 6!.'Iheconduit Si is also formed of flexible material soas to permitadjustment in the position 'of the float chamber.

The float chamber 41 is supported within the housing and on the frame bymeans of two U- shaped brackets 66 and-67. The upper ends of the legs ofthese'bracketsextend through openings in the transverse angle bars 31and 38. Nuts arranged on opposite sides of 'the horizontal flanges ofthese transverse members maintain the U-shaped brackets in a fixedposition and also permit adjustmentoi the "position Ofthfi float chamberrelative to the frame. Abar "H is arranged over the float chamber and isprovided with openings through which the legs of the U- shaped bracket6! extend. This bar may be moved into clamping engagement with theperiphery of the tubular section 42 by means of nuts threaded on thelegs of the bracket 61 one of which is shown at iii in Fig. l. A similarbar 16 is provided with openings through which the legs of the U-shapedbrackets 65 extend. Nuts 18 threaded onithe legs oi the Ugshaped bracket66 provide an arrangement which permits the :bar "3 to be urged intoclamped engagement with a part of the float chamber and particularly theannular The float chamber is thereby supthe frame.

A float "83. is arranged within the chamber 4|. This float is preferablyspherical shaped to withstand pressures under which the liquidsundergoing test are subjected. The float may have a diametero'fapprox-iinately-three inches when the float chamber hasacross-sectional'dmension of about inches. The fio'ajti's supported atthe free end or aleaf spring 84. The I'e'a'fspring is anchored adjacentthe exhaust end of the heat chamber by means "of a bracket 88 andclamping members 81. The float c'ar'ries'a permanent-magnet "88 at apoint diametrically opposite'the free end'of the spring- E i;'This'inagnet maybe formed of a suitable alloy adapted to mai'r i'tainit"s magnetic characteristics ever a relatively long period. The mag-net88 maybe inoun'te'dfon the fioat 83 in any suitable fixed-mariner andthe magnet is preferably (S-shaped in plan as will 'be-apparent 'r'r'oma consideration of 6. The magnet 138 is adapted to embrace 9. tubes]formed of nonmagnetic 'inaterial such as stainless steel. 'Ihe tube 9'!is closed and "s'eal'ed at its lower endbut is in open comnmnicauonatits upper end with the interior of the housing and accordingly "withthe atmosphere. suitable means r'h'a'y be provided for securing the tube9| tome top -'of the fioa't chamber ands suitabieeiampmg assembl isindicated at 93% provide asealea 'junctiire between the tube and thefloat chamber wall.

In apparatus exhibitingthe invention means or a mechanical linkage isretitled-for transferring any changes in the position of the seat 83 toa pen 94 ar'ran'ged operable asso'oiationw ith the recordingchart 2 2.In-th'e embodiment illustrated this transmission means includes e. manetic follower atiormedof-sott iron and secured to the low r end of 'aitelaitively smaudiamster nonmagnetic rod 91 suspenaed'wituin the tubeat. answer or armature e6 i's cyI-indr ical shaped to move free'ly within thetube 91 a'n'd at the same tim e reduce the air-ga ts a:minimum. The 'rod 9-1 is ooi'inectetl at its upper end to a shaft- 93in any suitabi'e zna'iiner such as by means of an eyelet 1'0 andacott'erkey I 02. The

shaft "98 extends through bearirigs 103 carried by an endbf-a balancebeam shoivn g nerallyat' 'i fl l. The balance beam is 'mbuh'ted f orpivoting-movement about the axis or the tear-"mg its. :n'suitable pivotpin-11 m extends tlirbugh' th'is bea'r ing and is secured to fa parthither-came structure. The other end of the balaiice beam ltt'earnes aweight 1H which-is threaded and'ad-apted to be moved on the threadedportion ll-2 :sotnat the weight -o'fthe magnetic iouower st and otherparts of the linkage rnaiy be srosefly'ceunserbalanced. i i i A lever l4 extends downwarul-y "from 'the end of the balance beam m and ismoiinted't'o rotate about the axis of the shaft 98 between the tearings"I 83 as shown in Fig. A laterally project ing pin I I8 is carried bythelowerend-of the lever I I4 and extends-througha-slot H8 in an arm-I I9.The other end ofthe arm H9 is keyed or otherwise secured to a shaftl 2I.The shaft I2I is journaledfor rotationona bracket arm I22 supported ona, part of-the recorder casing 2| by means of an enlarged plate portionI23. The recording pen '94 is carried by the lower end of a dependingarm l26 -which extends into the recording-casing and in operativeassociationwith. the front face ofthereoordchart22. 4 a

The motion transmitting linkage includes means for adjustingthe-position of the pen 94 radially of the chart- 22 and 'suchadjustment means is shown in Fig. 5 and includes a lug I3I carried by orsecured to the upper face of the balance beam I04. 7 A longitudinallyshiftable member I30 carrying threads I32 thereon extends through anopening in the lug I3I. Thismemher is connected at its other endto twoupstanding ears I33 fixed to and extending in an opposite diametricallydirection from the lever -I I4. A pivotal connection is thereby providedbetween the member I30 and the ears I33. A pair ofnuts one of which isshown at I31 are provided for shifting the position of the member I38longitudinally of the balance beam and to thereby adjust the angularposition-of the lever H4 and accordingly the position of the pin H8 inthe slot I I8. Accordingly, the effective length of the lever arm I I9is thereby altered to adjust the position of the pen 94 relative to theaxis of the record chart 22.

In use of the apparatus'liquid is taken from a sample line and admittedto the float chamber 4I through the inlet conduit 58-. As the liquidenters the float chamber, it is diffused "by the fitting. 54 and anychanges in the density of the liquid is distributed throughout the floatchainber. The float 83 then assumes'a position in dependence upon thespecific gravity of the liquid and any change in the vertical positionof the float is accompanied by movement of the magnetic follower 96. Ifthere is a change in the specific gravity of the liquid entering thefloat chamber and if the specific gravity is lower, the buoyancy of theliquid within the chamber M is accordingly less and the float 83 willassume a new and lowered position. As the float 83 moves downwardly thefollower 96 being linked by the flux produced by the magnet 88 will alsomove downward and the shaft 98 will be pulled downward to turn the beamI04 in a counterclockwise direction in Figs. 3 and 5, about the axis ofthe pivot support I01. The lever I I4 will thereby be moved downwardlyand the pin II6 will cause the crank arm I I9 to swing in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of the shaft I2I in Fig. 5. The pensupporting arm I26 being secured to the shaft I2I will turn therewithand swing the pen 94 in a counter clockwise direction about the axis ofthe shaft I2I and thereby move the pen towards the axis of the recordchart 22.

It will be appreciated that if there is an opposite change in thespecific gravity of the liquid moving through the float chamber 4| andif the density increases the float 83 will be buoyed upwardly and themagnetic follower 96 m'll also move upwardly. This upward movement ofthe rod 91 will cause the pen 94 to swing radially outward on the chart22. The position of the pen 94 accordingly indicates the specificgravity of relative to the chart .22.

- Patent is:

the liquid and. the; chartjwill provide. arecord. of

any 5 changes .in the :ide'nsity.i-: p

It W111 zb.e- ,observed that hie micreate, 41

'andthe. float 83 are desig'nedto withstandlpressuresup to one thousandpounds persquare inch and the pressure-may vary; without altering theaccuracy of the-apparatus. The pressure barrier providediby. the. tube 9I- permits movement of the floatito..be=transmitted to the exterior of.the

float. 1 chamber.;ands .the arrangement described and illustrated .inthedrawings provide a device having. an accuracy comparableto .that of ahydrometer. over, a. rangelof temperature varying betwe'enzero and onehundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit. 1 i

tioiiofthe nutsv Ill-on the. threaded upper ends of. the U-shaped:brackets. .66. and 61 .to thereby alter theiposition of thefloatchamber. This adjustment provideschangesin the position of the Jfloat '83 relative to the transmission linkage so that the apparatusmaybe properly calibrated- While the inventionhas been described withreferenceto specific structuralfeatures and with regard toaparticular'general organization, it will be appreciated that changesmay be made --in thedetails :as well as the overall arrangement.

Such modifications and others may be made without departing fromthe-spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

What -I claim and desireto secureby Letters 1. In apparatusfor-indicating changes in the specific gravity of a liquid underpressure,- an

elongated hollow capsule providing a closed chamber for receivingtheliquid under observation, means suppor-ting'the capsule in ahorizontally disposed position, a closed end non-magnetic tube ofsmaller diameter than its length vertically arranged diametricallywithin the capsule and having an open end outside the capsule, meanssealing the periphery of said tube with respect to said capsule, a roddepending into said tube, means including an element on the rod formoving the rod axially in response to changes in the specific gravity ofthe liquid within the capsule, a movable indicating arm, a horizontallydisposed beam connected at one end to said rod, means for balancing saidbeam to compensate for the weight of the rod and the element thereon,and means for transmitting movements of said beam to said indicatingarm.

2. In apparatus for indicating changes in the specific gravity of aliquid under pressure, a hollow capsule providing a closed chamber forreceiving the liquid under observation, a housing encasing the capsulehaving a window opening in one side, a frame within and reinforcing thehousing, means supporting the capsule on the frame in a horizontallydisposed position, a closed end tube depending vertically into thecapsule and having an open end outside the closed chamber, means sealingthe periphery of said tube with respect to the capsule, a rod dependinginto said tube and projecting from the open end thereof, means includingan element on the rod within the tube for moving the rod up- 7 wardlyand downwardly :l-nlresponse .170 changes in the specificgravityof'thelliqiiid within the capsu1e,?an indicating armswingab'lylmounted to be visible throughsaid window, a horizontallydisposed beam; connected'at one end :to said rod and mounted .iorvpivotal l'movlenzient on said frame, an adjustableweight on the otherend of the beam for ibalancing :saidbeam .to zoompensate for'the weightof itheyrodaand'the element thereon,:and meansrfor transmittingmovements :of said beam :to :said indicating arm.

I3. In apparatus :for indicating changesin the specific gravity or :a'liquidunder pressure-a hollow capsule providing a closed .chamberforireceiving the liquid under observation, a housing encasing the capsulehaving a window opening in one side, .a frame within and reinforcing thehousing, means'supporting the capsule on the iframezin a horizontallydisposed position, .a closed end tube depending vertically .into :thecapsule and having an open end outside the closed chamber, meanssealingthe periphery of said tube with respect to the capsulea :rod dependinginto said tube and projecting from the open end thereof, means includingan element .on the rod withinathe tube for: movingthe rod upwardly-anddownwardly in response to changes in the specificigravity of the liquidwithin the capsule, Jan indicating arm :swingab'ly mounted to be visiblethrough said window, a horizontally disposed beam connected :at one :endto said and and mounted for pivotal :movement on said frame, anadjustable weight on the other end of the beam for balancing said beamto compensate for the weight of :the rod and the element thereon, meansfor transmitting movements of said beam to said indicating arm, andmeans for adjusting the verticalipos'ition of the capsule relativeto theframe.

4. In apparatus for indicating changes in the specific :gravity of aliqnidnnder pressure. ahollow capsule providing ;a closed chamber for.receiving theliquid under pressure, a'housing encasing the capsulehaving :a window opening in one side, :a 'frame 'within and :reinforcingthe '8 housing, means supporting the capsule on the framein'ahorizonta-lly disposed position, a closed end tube dependingvertically into the capsule and having an open end outside the closedchamber, means sealing the periphery of said tube with respect to thecapsule, a rod depending into said tube and projecting from the open endthereof, means including an element on the rod within the tube formoving the rod upwardly and downwardly in response to changes in thespecific gravity of the liquid within the capsule, an indicating armswingably mounted to be visible through said window opening, ahorizontally disposed beam connected at one end to said rod and mountedfor pivotal movement on said frame, means for balancing said beam tocompensate for the weight of the rod and the element thereon, a leverattached to and extending substantially at right angles from said beam,a crank arm connected to said indicating arm and having a slot therein,a pin carried by said lever extending into said slot so as to swing thecrank arm and the indicating arm upon movements of the beam, and meansfor adjusting the angular position of the lever relative to said beam.

. WILLIAM A. SCHLUETER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the .file .ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATEN'IS Number Name Date 699,188 Kent May 6, 19021,174,787 Wilkinson Mar. 7, 1916 1,384,886 Brindle July 19, 19211,546,702 Bailey July 21, .1925 1,701,404 Dennis Feb. 5, 1929 1,198,589Cole .Mar. 31, 1931 1,922,362 Halversen Aug. 15, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Gountry Date "130,758 Switzerland Mar. 1, 1929

